Bihar farmers turn to organic fertilizers in spite of higher costs

India

Staff

Posted By: Staff

Published: Monday, December 28, 2009, 14:49 [IST]

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Kothiya (Bihar), Dec 28 (ANI): Organic fertilizers are now making their way into the fields of Bihar's Samastipur district due to the benefits they give to crops.lthough more expensive than chemical fertilizers, organic ones produce good yields and assure a healthier crop.

According to Vijendra Kumar, the man who produces organic fertilizers in the village, the demand for organic fertilizers is greater as it helps in producing good and healthy crops.

"Organic fertilizers are more in demand than chemical fertilizers. Farmers didn't get healthy crops even after spending money on chemical fertilizers. But once they started using organic fertilizers, the use of chemical fertilizers dropped down to only 25 percent of what it was; now, 75 percent of fertilizers used are organic. Chemical fertilizers are much less in use now," said Kumar.

In the Kothiya village of Samastipur district, earthworms - a major component of organic fertilizers - are being sold at 250 rupees per kilogramme.

The earthworms are then mixed with moist cow dung and are kept for approximately 100 days, after which organic fertilizer is created.

Farmers, too, are opting for organic fertilizers over the chemical ones in spite of the relatively higher costs.

"Organic fertilizers are 90 percent better than chemical fertilizers because compared to the chemical ones, there is increased production of organic fertilizers. Hence, we use more organic fertilizers, as the chemicals ones have no effect on crops," said Suresh Kumar, a farmer.

Organic fertilizers are being sold at 600-1000 rupees per quintal whereas chemical fertilizers are available at 400 rupees per quintal. (ANI)